Lionel Messi scored one and assisted the other as Barcelona edged past a plucky PSV in Eindhoven.
2018/2019 UEFA Champions League
1-2
Match Events
16' OFF THE POST! Pereiro almost scores
OFF THE POST FROM PEREIRO! Rakitic turns the ball over in midfield as Barcelona are once again sloppy in possession, and the PSV midfielder takes a touch to set himself before having a strike towards the bottom right-hand corner of the goal, which sneaks under the hand of Ter Stegen before smacking off the base of the post!
35' CHANCE! Vidal's shot blocked
45' POST AND CROSSBAR! PSV almost scores
TWO OFF-THE LINE CLEARANCES SAVES PSV! It’s a double of unfortunate clearances for Vidal – who sees two separate chances from two rapid-fire corner kicks saved off the line! The first is a looping shot into the top corner which is nodded over narrowly by Rosario whose defensive positioning is excellent. The second is nodded towards the far post, with Hendrix kicking it away at the last moment!
51' CHANCE! Messi's shot saved
61'GOAL! PSV 0-1 Barcelona (Messi)
NO SURPRISE THAT MESSI MAKES THE DIFFERENCE! 1-0 to Barcelona thanks to their captain fantastic who works a give-and-go with Dembele, receiving the ball just inside the penalty area. With all the work still to do, Messi goes past De Jong and opens up room in front of Angelino, before slotting his finish high into the corner of the goal!
70'GOAL! PSV 0-2 Barcelona (Pique)
MAGIC MESSI TO PIQUE FOR 2-0! It’s Pique’s goal, but all credit to Messi whose free-kick is hit with stunning accuracy, a foot off the ground, perfectly timed with the in-step of the Barcelona centre-back who opens his foot and redirects the free-kick into the net! 2-0!
82' GOAL! PSV 1-2 Barcelona (De Jong)
PSV FINALLY GET WHAT THEY DESERVE! 2-1! De Jong climbs over Pique with ease and nods a simple Angelino cross into the far post! Game on with less than 10 minutes remaining!
Match Report
Lionel Messi's twin moments of inspiration helped Barcelona overcame a shaky hour to win 2-1 at PSV and sew up top spot in Group B.
Comfortable 4-0 victors in the reverse encounter, Ernesto Valverde's men enjoyed no such dominance in Eindhoven as they came under heavy scrutiny for long periods.
The visitors had the woodwork to thank for denying PSV a lead on three occasions, before captain Messi took charge in the second half.
He broke the deadlock with a sublime piece of penalty area composure and then delivered the set-piece from which Gerard Pique ensured a late Luke de Jong header would be nothing more than a consolation.
Line-ups
PSV XI: Daniel Schwaab, J. Zoet, Luuk de Jong, Nick Viergever, J. Hendrix, Gastón Pereiro, Angeliño, S. Bergwijn, H. Lozano, Denzel Dumfries, P. Rosario
Subs: Eloy Room, A. Behich, T. Sainsbury, Erick Gutiérrez, M. Romero, Mauro Júnior, Donyell Malen
Barcelona XI: L. Messi, Piqué, I. Rakitić, Vidal, Jordi Alba, Sergio Busquets, Philippe Coutinho, M. ter Stegen, Lenglet, Semedo, O. Dembélé
Subs: D.Suárez, Munir, Carles Aleñà, Malcom, Chumi Brandariz, Iñaki Peña, Juan Miranda